“Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. is a nonprofit, membership-based organization focused on making downtown a great place to be,” said marketing manager Tenley Schwartz.
Along with events like Downtown Riverfest and Downtown Burger Battle, the organization does everything they can to ensure downtown is a pleasant environment for locals and visitors alike.
“We do so much more—our incredible Clean & Green team cleans sidewalks, welcomes visitors, cares for flower baskets, and hangs Christmas lights,” said Schwartz. “We also offer connection and support to small businesses through member meetings, neighborhood tours, and collaborative events.”
Downtown Sioux Falls Events
EASTBANK BLOCK PARTY
JULY 1ST & AUGUST 5TH • TBD
8TH & RAILROAD CENTER
MOONLIGHT MOVIES
JULY 14TH & AUGUST 11TH
DUSK • FAWICK PARK
SUMMER DOWNTOWN CRAZY DAYS
JULY 15TH & 16TH • ALL DAY
DOWNTOWN
DOWNTOWN RIVERFEST
AUGUST 20TH • TBD
DOWNTOWN RIVER GREENWAY
“Shop the craziest markdowns of the summer at downtown shops during Crazy Days weekend, July 15-16.” -TENLEY SCHWARTZ
Schwartz works with DTSF by sharing events, news, and photos, as well as creating graphics and branding elements.
Learn more about Schwartz’s favorite places and activities.
SUMMER FUN
Our summer event season is nonstop with monthly Eastbank Block Parties with live music, cold drinks, great food truck fare, and an array of yard games. Shop the craziest markdowns of the summer at downtown shops during Crazy Days weekend, July 15-16. The family-favorite Downtown Riverfest returns to the banks of the Big Sioux on August 20 with food trucks, music, vendors, and kids activities. Enjoy outdoor Moonlight Movies at Fawick Park on the second Thursday of each month (July 14, August 11).
CASUAL CAFFEINE
You can find me lingering over a book and decaf Americano at The Source Coffee Roastery + Taproom. It’s my second living room at this point: I’ll do meetings, friend gatherings, remote work days, book club, and chill weekend reading sessions here. And now that Swamp Daddy’s has opened their extended dining area, I may never leave the Jones421 building.
“Places are good on purpose, and I love being part of an organization that makes downtown a bustling, bright place to be.” -tenley schwartz
BOOKS, BOOKS, & MORE BOOKS
I bring home a huge stack of books from the downtown library every couple of weeks. I’m running out of bookshelf space and have resorted to piling them everywhere. Lately, I’ve been reading memoirs, natural gardening books, and kids’ picture books.
I WONDER…
I refresh by taking a pocket sketchbook to Good Earth State Park or Falls Park and do some nature journaling. I’m part of the ‘22 SD Master Naturalist class, which encourages you to say “I wonder…” instead of jumping to conclusions. It’s a pretty great way to move through life, not just nature walks!
LOCAL INSPIRATION
I check out local art receptions and leave feeling both inspired to make my own stuff and extra connected to the Sioux Falls art scene—it’s so good! The Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center is free on the first Friday of every month, Untitled.10 curates cool pop-ups, Fresh Produce’s IPSO Gallery hosts wildly inventive shows, and Rehfeld’s Art & Framing has a great lineup every month.
5 Random Facts
1. I really value curiosity, so I’ll take one-off classes, like stained glass or naturalism. Anything I learn is a skill that might pop up in a totally different part of life.
2. You’ll catch me thrifting and poking around antique stores on the weekend.
3. I love the energy downtown in the summertime, but I find I need to balance it out with solo time outdoors. The quiet of state park trails and bustling of DTSF events are a harmonious duo in my mind.
4. I’m fascinated by how we perceive, use, and relate to time, especially in work settings. I get myself stuck when I try to be hyper-productive. I get myself unstuck when I mess around and make stuff.
5. My goal with print design is to make something beautiful to hold in your hands. Sometimes I nail it. Sometimes I’m already looking forward to improving it next year.
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
I’m drawing all the time. Big sketchbook, tiny one. Home book, work book. I’ve got three favorite writing utensils with me at any given moment. Work drawings are things like battling burgers or historic buildings. Non-DTSF drawings include autobio comics, silly thoughts, and recently a lot of frogs.
STREET SMART
You can find me enjoying parking downtown. It’s so easy downtown, and no one believes me. Just use a ramp. There are always spaces, and you can use the Park Smarter app to pay. Say goodbye to parking tickets forever.
GET INVOLVED
I love participating in downtown events with my friends. I’m always giving them the inside scoop on cool downtown happenings. Here’s my secret: It’s all at dtsf.com. Get our monthly Downtown Insider email, and you’ll be the one telling your friends all the cool places to go.
